U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehended Bilal Karayigit, a 26-year-old Turkish national, in Burlington on February 19. Karayigit faces charges of raping a Massachusetts resident. Patricia H. Hyde, acting Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston, stated that Karayigit "stands accused of brutally victimizing a resident of our community" and emphasized the agency's commitment to public safety by removing threats posed by illegal aliens.
Karayigit entered the United States legally on July 12, 2022, at JFK International Airport but later violated his admission terms. The Brighton District Court arraigned him on December 5, 2023, for rape and indecent assault and battery on a person over the age of 14. On that day, ICE filed an immigration detainer against him with the court.
Despite the detainer, Karayigit was released from custody by the Brighton District Court on April 24, 2024. Subsequently, he faced arraignment at Suffolk Superior Court in Boston on June 11, 2024, for additional charges including kidnapping.
The Boston Police Department arrested him again on September 19, 2024, based on warrants related to his pending charges. However, after ICE lodged another immigration detainer with Nashua Street Jail in Boston following this arrest, he was released from custody again on September 26.
Following his recent arrest by ICE officers in Burlington last month, Karayigit has been served with a notice to appear before a Justice Department immigration judge and remains in ICE custody.
For those wishing to report crimes or suspicious activities related to immigration violations or other concerns involving public safety can contact the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or use their online tip form.
More information about ICE’s efforts to enhance public safety is available through their social media presence @EROBoston.
